BOSS Brendon King believes that an extension to the Dorset Premier League season would enhance Chickerell United’s prospects of becoming champions.

It is rumoured that league officials are considering prolonging the campaign in an effort to offset the adverse weather that has ravaged the fixture programme of late.

Forecasters are predicting that sub-zero temperatures could persist into February and even March, as the big freeze continues to envelop the country.

And fears are rife among the local authorities that this eventuality would leave a multitude of teams facing insurmountable itineraries.

One such side are Chickerell, who have played just 12 matches to date and therefore could be obligated to contest three matches a week in order to catch up.

King subscribes to the view that the season should be extended beyond its normal boundaries, reckoning it would be advantageous to his troops’ title ambitions.

Speaking to the Echo, he said: “I’d much rather that we only play twice a week as opposed to three times. If that means the season carries on into May then so be it.

“Playing on Saturday, Tuesday and then Thursday becomes a problem because injuries crop up and people become unavailable, whereas twice a week is manageable.

“If we are going well then the players are always eager to get out there. Having two games a week allows you to keep some continuity, and could work in our favour.”

Since arriving at Cranford Avenue last summer, King has facilitated the integration of a host of ex-Portland United stars into an already successful Chickens side.

Given that such a radical overhaul has been undertaken, some observers expected the new-look Chickerell to take time to become a major force.

But results speak for themselves and a record of 10 victories with a solitary defeat from 12 league fixtures reinforces their billing as genuine title contenders.

King insists he is not surprised that his squad have gelled so seamlessly, and he expects them to be “there or thereabouts” at the back-end of the campaign.

He added: “Chickerell finished third last season and Portland won the league so I knew that if I could combine the two then I’d have the makings of a more than decent side.

“I have always thought that we would be there or thereabouts and am pretty pleased with how we’ve done so far – but there is still a very long way to go.

“Winning becomes a habit and at the moment we know how to win. All we can do is push on and take each game as it comes, but I’m certain we can keep it going.”